Oysterband - England
In their biography, the Oysterband state that they have been influenced by all manner of music, culture and style, they listened to anything and everything - but the heartbeat of the band is a deep rooted love of the traditional music of Britain. In North America the band would likely be filed under Celtic Rock. However, a British journalist categorizes the band as "dance/laugh/cry/jump for joy/kick a few heads in kind of music - that could be folk music, it could be rock music…maybe it's just good music." Whatever you want to call it, they are closing the Friday night show at the festival because they are guaranteed to get you out of your seat. The band consists of John Jones on leads vocals and squeezeboxes, Alan Prosser on guitars and mandolin, Chopper on bass and cello, and Ian Telfer on fiddle and concertina.
Website: www.cookingvinyl.com/oyster

Garnet Rogers - Ontario/Maritimes
Garnet, like his brother, the late Stan Rogers, grew up in Ontario but spent his summers with his family in Nova Scotia. Garnet is a masterful musical storyteller who brings honesty and an intimate presence to his live appearances. The 6-foot, 4-inch baritone has a voice that booms and growls and he just might surprise audiences with an electric guitar song thrown in amongst his touching ballads. Garnet is able to combine the power of his vocals with the gentleness of heartfelt lyrics in a compelling manner. One Chicago reviewer describes Garnet's latest CD, "Sparrow's Wing", as a "singular achievement, combining a rare depth in songwriting with an arresting performance. Rogers sings with a voice unparalleled among male singer-songwriters."
Website: www.garnetrogers.com

Rheostatics - Toronto, Ontario
By their own admission, the Rheostatics are a little out of the ordinary. The band has been frequently described as the "quirkiest" band in the land and as one of Canada's patriotic treasures. The Rheostatics have never been afraid of pushing the boundaries of their collective imaginations, be it by building multi-layered orchestral rock music, or creating a sound portrait of the Group of Seven, or, their latest completed project, an elaborate children's musical - The Story of Harmelodia. The band, which was formed in the early '80s, has been a college favourite for years and made it to #1 on college radio station charts last year. The Rheostatics are: Dave Bidini, rhythm guitar, Tim Vesely on bass piano and electric guitar, Martin Tiell on lead guitar and effects pedal extraordinaire, and Michael Phillip Wojewodaon drums. Catch them as the headliners for Saturday night's show.
Website: www.drog.com/rheostatics

Eric Bibb - New York, US
A comparatively new face on the folk-blues scene, Eric Bibb's talent has drawn critical acclaim in North American and abroad and comparisons have been made to legendary greats Ry Cooder and Taj Mahal. Winner of the "Best Newcomer" title in the British Blues Awards, Bibb has been describes as "discreetly awesome" and "a total original." His intimate, positive and engaging personality and his resonate soulful voice combine to provide performances which are smooth, subtle, soulful and sophisticated. Eric's third album, "Home to Me," was released last year and includes a tribute to Nelson Mandela, Mandela is Free, and an upbeat duet with Taj Mahal, called Sing Your Song.
Website: www.ericbibb.com

Arrogant Worms - Toronto, Ontario
Yes, the Worms are back. This three-man comedy troupe are the only performers, due to popular appeal, keep getting an invite to the Jasper festival year after year. The "Clowned Princes of Humour, Purveyors of the Absurd, and Ambassadors of Fun" emcee the Friday show in which they will include their own zany songs and off-the-wall antics. The Worms describe their roots as being in folk and acoustic rock, but borrow from Celtic, country, reggae bluegrass, surf music and even Gospel. The Arrogant Worms are made up of Trevor Strong, who has bigger hair than most muppets, Chris Patterson, who plays bass and hopes to one day be an otter, and Mike McCormick, who plays guitar and whose long term plans include liposuction.
Website: www.arrogant-worms.com

Mighty Popo Band -Ottawa/Africa
Ten years ago Jacques Murigande arrived in Ottawa as a political refugee from the strife-torn African country of Burundi. He was the fourth of five children born to Rwandan refugees. Today he is the Mighty Popo, a Canadian citizen, who plays "world blues," African-reggae and R&B. His latest CD, "Dunia Yote," which translates as "the whole world", is a return to his African roots after years of playing mostly blues and reggae with various bands in the Ottawa music scene.
Website: www.mightypopo.com

Ashley MacIsaac- Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
Since the release of his debut album "Close to the Floor" in 1992 when he was only seventeen, Ashley MacIsaac has become a household name in Canada and has provided some legendary performances. In 1995, Ashley released his triple-platinum album "Fine, Thank You Very Much." Despite an unfortunate setback after some off-and on-stage antics a couple of years ago, critics still agree that Cape Breton's golden boy is a wizard of the fiddle. Last year, Ashley toured with the Chieftains and this year finds him making a strong comeback with shows and the Vancouver and Calgary Folk Festivals. At 25, Ashley continues to keep his passion for music alive and with a new album under his beltk "Fiddle Music 101" he appears to have returned to his traditional Cape Breton fiddling roots.
Website: www.Ashley-macisaac.com

Sheep River Rounders - Turner Valley, AB
The Sheep River Rounders is an acoustic band who play a unique brand of bluegrass, swing and old-time fiddle music. From the bluegrass of the Stanley Brothers and the old-time picking of doc Watson to the Texas swing of Bob Willis, the Rounders play authentic roots music in a style true to its origins. The band consists of Myran Szott on fiddle, mandolin and vocals, John Cronin on dobro, guitar and vocals, Richard Gullison on bass, guitar and vocals, and Steve Fisher on guitar and vocals.

Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer - Oregon, US
Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer describe their music as "all-original post-modern, mythic American" - music that's heavy on mysticism and storytelling, where shadows and characters from King Arthur's roundtable, Native American spiritual symbolism and the gritty backroads of Texas and Oklahoma mingle freely. Their debut release, "When I Go", was described as one of the best albums of the year by the Los Angeles times. Carter plays some very tasteful guitar and banjo while Grammer counterpoints with intoned violin, guitar, mandolin and spine chilling vocal harmonies.
Website: www.daveandtracy.com

Karen Savoca with Peter Heitzman - New York, US
Karen is a songwriter whose music eludes any one niche…lyrical, funky, playful and haunting. After playing to a standing ovation audience in Ottawa last year a reviewer described her as having "…the soul of Janis Joplin without the tragic edge, the sweet clarity of Jewel and lyrics as rich in poetic abstraction as Paul Simon." While Savoca uses a conga and a rattle to provide the beat, her partner, Pete Heitzman, plays some flashy acoustic, electric and gase guitar. The duo played five Canadian festivals last year alone, including Edmonton, Winnipeg, Victoria and Vancouver. Karen and Pete have released four recordings including their latest, "Here We Go."
Website: www.dreamscape.com/alcove/

Jim Henry - Edmonton, AB
Jim Henry's new albim, "Catch the Breeze from Heaven," is full of both thoughtful, touching songs as well as some crazy, fun tunes such as I Know How to Have Good Sex Now I Learnt It In the Grocery Store. Jim also works as a psychologist and his music reflects a deep understanding of the sorrow and joy of the human Condition. Jim will be joined on-stage by popular fiddler Shannon Johnson, vocalists Judith McKee and Jill Younghusband, and guitarists/vocalists Terry Nadasdi and Thomas Slaymaker. Website: www.henryjim.com

The Bill Hilly Band - Victoria, BC
This all-acoustic, highly energetic string band has a 200-plus song repertoire, which includes tunes in French, German, Spanish and English. Since their music is derived from so many styles and eras it tends to appeal to many ages and tastes. After touring Europe in 1998 the bands repertoire has grown to include old time fiddle, bluegrass, polka, klezmer, Quebec folk, swing and even mariachi. The "Hilly's" include Chris Frye on guitar, Marc Atkinson on mandolin, Adrian Dolan on fiddle and accordion, Paul Dowd on banjo, Glen Manders on bass and Beau Klaibert on fiddle.
Website: www.thebillhillyband.com

David Francey - Ayer's Cliff, QB
David Francy, a Scottish born songwriter/vocalist has been described as "a common man with an uncommon ability to reach others through his song." There is an honest and authenticity to David's music, which often described the plight of the working person and the sorrows and highs of everyday life. David received standing ovations at the Ottawa Folk Festival last year and his CD's are getting rave reviews and lots of airplay across the country. David will be ably accompanied by Geoff Somers on guitar, banjo and fiddle.
Website: www.davidfrancey.com

Maria Dunn - Edmonton, AB
Maria is a singer/songwriter whose music brings to live characters of her own day and years gone by. Born in Scotland but raised in Canada on '60's Scottish folk revival records and a healthy dose of North American folk and country music, Dunn's songs reflect this musical background - from lilting ancestral tales to contemporary country tinged stories. Maria released her debut album "From Where I Stand" in 1998 and completed her second CD of original folk music in May of this year.
Website: www.mariadunn.com

Luther Wright & the Wrongs - Kingston, ON
Kigston's Luther Wright was previously the co-leader, along with Sarah Harmer, of a popular band called "Weeping Tile." In his present reincarnation Luther teams up with "The Wrongs" to bring a tasteful mix of bluegrass an "original old-tyme hurtin' country" music. The band's latest CD, "Rebuild the Wall - Act 1" is, believe it or not, a country/bluegrass interpretation of Pink Floyd's "The Wall." The band's previous release include "Rodger's Waltz" and "Hurtin for Certain." The band consists of Luther on guitar, Cam Giroux on drums, Sean Kelly on bass, Brian Flynn on fiddle and Jason Mercer on banjo.
Website: www.lutherwrightandthewrongs.com

Andrea Revel Trio
Calgary, AB

Andy Donnely (MC) - Edmonton, AB
Andy Donnely is the announcer for CKUA's popular radio program "The Celtic Show." Andy will be the master of ceremonies for the Saturday night show. Andy was born on the West Coast of Scotland and has a great love and understanding of Celtic music. He is very much a presence in the music community and is often found promoting or hosting events throughout Alberta.
Website: www.ckua.com

The Clumsy Lovers - Coquitlam, BC
Are you ready for "raging Celtic bluegrass rock?" The Clumsy Lovers were given a glowing recommendation by Andy Donnely, the host for CKUA's Celtic show. The band has developed a cult following in the U.S. as a result of their manic, highly infectious live shows - promising to satisfy anyone who loves to dance. They have been described as "the pogues on prozac" and "the bluegrass boys on speed" - but you won't need the assistance of drugs to enjoy the Lovers mosh-pit remakings of classics like Lord of the Dance, AC/DC's You Shook Me All Night Long, or the barn-burning version of Soldier's Joy. The Clumsy Lovers will be closing the Saturday night show. The band consists of Brad Gillard on banjo, Cam Jonat on drums, Chris Jonat on bass, Trevor Rogers on vocals and guitar, and the Andrea Lewis, who is really the "active ingredient" behind the band's high energy, on fiddle and vocals.